The eyes of motorsport fans were on Newcastle this weekend, as the city hosted the final round of the 2018 Supercars championship.
The 2.6km circuit features 12 corners and a top speed of around 260 km/h, taking drivers along Wharf Road, Watt Street, and Shortland Esplanade, before threading its way to Camp Shortland.
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SUNDAY
David Reynolds has taken out the final race of the Supercars season but Scott McLaughlin is the big winner, sealing the championship on a thrilling final day at the Newcastle 500.
Ford driver Scott McLaughlin has given the Falcon a fitting farewell at the Newcastle 500, winning an emotional Supercars championship.
Our reporter Stephen Mount is trackside with the first time champion.
EARLIER:
Shane van Gisbergen has been handed a 25-second time penalty for a refueling breach in race one at the Newcastle 500.
The corrected results mean the Holden driver finished fifth in the 250km race.
If van Gisbergen goes onto win today’s race, McLaughlin will only need to finish sixth to claim his maiden championship.
SATURDAY
The wind was down, and the crowd was up for day two of the Newcastle 500.
The first serious day of racing saw a grandstand finish, after supporters turned out early to secure the best vantage points.
Stephen Mount reports.
Scott McLaughlin has been forced to hand victory to Shane Van Gisbergen, in the first race of the Newcastle 500, after running dry on fuel in the final lap.
The Ford driver’s forced surrender to his Holden arch rival has set the scene for a final-day thriller.
FRIDAY
The wild conditions didn’t deter race fans on Friday at the Newcastle 500, with thousands flooding through the gates.
They left well and truly revved up for the weekend, after lapping up the chance to mingle with drivers and even motorsport royalty.
On the track, Scott McLaughlin set the early pace, topping Friday’s second practice session.
The Ford driver battling fellow Kiwi, Shane Van Gisbergen, for the championship, setting the scene for a thrilling race tomorrow.
After fighting for a home-town drive, so far it’s paying off for Aaren Russell.
On Friday afternoon, he topped the timesheets on debut in the Superutes category.
THURSDAY
Supercars fever has well and truly rolled into Newcastle, with thousands turning out at Hamilton on Thursday afternoon for the chance to meet their favourite drivers.
